Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you can carefully observe thoughts and feelings without judging them good or bad. Mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to your current experience, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future (Psychology Today). Rumi’s poem below, is using the metaphor of a guest house to form an image that each day is an opportunity to experience something new in our lives, even if it’s unexpected.

Our guest house can sometimes make us uncomfortable. If we treat the house guests with warmth, generosity, and courage, we can learn invaluable lessons from the experience.

An important piece of chakra healing is the willingness to know ourselves including the shadow sides. For healing to occur, keep an open mind, release judgments, and make any necessary amends.

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

She may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought,

the shame, the malice.

Meet them at the door laughing

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

~ Jelaluddin Rumi 1207-1273~ (translated by Coleman Barks)

( Rumi’s Poem Guest House First Appeared October 25, 2013, In Chakras’ Category.)